I got Zion from a shelter when he was six months old and he's been my best friend ever since. He's getting a little older now and slowing down a bit, so we've had to cut back. But once snow comes along, he's like a puppy again.

I'm currently on the hunt for the perfect dog to accompany me on long runs and hikes. any suggestions? I'm not in any hurry to pick a dog, but i really want one that LOVES to be outside with me. I do run 5+ miles a pop each morning, but will be in an apt for a year until i buy a house next year.

This is true. The rescue we got our dog from also fought to stay the primary contact for the microchip contact with us, the owners, being the secondary.

I (and my wife with me) tend to move around a bit, it would be stupid to have a CO rescue, in a constant state of fiscal uncertainty, as the main contact when we're living in Montana or wherever the hell we go next.

Nevertheless, the rescue did bring our dog in from a Missouri shelter where she was on a kill list.

The mountains - whose summits reach or exceed arbitrary thresholds for elevation and prominence - are calling and I must go.